The U.S. Senate has unanimously confirmed Mike Whitaker as the next Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator, filling an 18-month leadership void at the agency.

Pete Buttigieg, the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation, stated in a statement that Matthew Whitaker has gotten support from members of both parties due to his thirty years of experience working in the aviation industry. "Mike has the expertise and disposition to successfully lead the agency from day one," According to Buttigieg.

According to the official announcement, the nomination of Whitaker comes at a time when the FAA is undergoing a key phase of transition. There has been an increase in the number of incidents involving close calls, the FAA immediately has to modernize their infrastructure, and more air traffic controllers need to be hired and educated.

Ted Cruz, a senator from Texas, was also heard speaking his mind over the confirmation, and he emphasized the significance of passing more laws. "After 18 months without a Senate-confirmed FAA administrator, I am pleased that Mike Whitaker will step into this critically important role. Now that the FAA’s leadership void has been addressed, the Senate must put the interest of American travelers first and pass an FAA reauthorization bill," said Cruz. He added, "We cannot continue allowing special interests to dictate what duly-elected senators can and cannot vote on. It’s time to formalize the bipartisan agreement reached months ago so the FAA gets the resources it needs to refocus on its core mission of maintaining the highest possible safety standards for the flying public.”

Secretary Buttigieg also praised Acting Secretary Trottenberg for her performance as interim leader of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). "She is an indispensable leader in this administration," he stated in a statement about her.